The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy may soon have a new training vessel to replace its longtime former educational ship the “Kings Pointer,” which was reassigned to a Texas university earlier this year.
U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Director for Public Affairs Meghan Keck confirmed lat week that “negotiations are ongoing” for the replacement of the Village of Kings Point-based Merchant Marine Academy’s new training vessel.
“We are now currently engaged in negotiations and will announce the exciting details about the new training vessel when our agreement is finalized,” Rear. Adm. James Helinewly, the newly installed Merchant Marine Academy superintendent, said last week.
The Merchant Marine Academy’s previous training vessel the “Kings Pointer,” an auxiliary ocean tug, was transferred to Texas A&M University’s Galveston campus in December. The “Kings Pointer” was used by midshipmen for hands-on training at sea.
“The new vessel will allow midshipmen to train using the latest technologies and develop the leadership skills that will be needed in the future,” said Helis, who also indicated the new ship could be used for training on inland waterways.
Both Helis and Keck declined to provide any further information about the Merchant Marine Academy’s new training vessel or the negotiations for its purchase.
The replacement of the Merchant Marine Academy’s training vessel is a part of the university’s five-year strategic plan, which U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced to the midshipmen in March.
After a 2010 federal report outlined the need for $300 million in repairs to the Merchant Marine Academy’s facilities, LaHood said that much of the university’s aging infrastructure would soon be replaced.
LaHood said in March that renovations to the Merchant Marine Academy’s mess hall, pier and electrical grid will be made through $54 million in “capital improvement” funds appropriated by Congress from the Department of Transportation’s budget.
